Rosanna Kelly

Rosanna Kelly of Scarsdale, NY passed away peacefully at her home on October 29, 2022 with her husband, Brendan, and mother-in-law, Margaret, by her side after an eight-year battle with cancer. Rose was born on August 7, 1979 in the Dominican Republic and moved to New York City’s Lower East Side as a young girl. While attending P.S. 142 Amalia Castro, she met her then third-grade teacher, Ana Garcia, who would later become her god-mother and an indelible fixture in her life.

After graduating from Mary Bertram High School, Rose attended Syracuse University, majoring in English and Information Technology and graduating in 2002. She then attended Syracuse Law School, graduating in 2005. She was admitted to practice law as a member of the bars of New York and New Jersey.

As a loyal Syracuse alumna, Rose enjoyed supporting their basketball team and frequently joined her many friends from her undergraduate days when the team played at Madison Square Garden.

Rose began her professional career as a legal consultant, but then specialized in anti-money laundering compliance, holding supervisory positions at financial institutions such as BBVA, Brown Brothers Harriman, and Bank of China.

In 2012, while working at Sullivan and Cromwell, she met her husband, Brendan Kelly. Shortly after their engagement in November 2014, Rose was diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. She underwent the Whipple operation at Memorial Sloan Kettering on January 7, 2015 that removed parts of her pancreas and other organs. On September 19, 2015, she and Brendan were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

It was revealed later in 2015 that the cancer had spread to Rose’s liver and that additional treatment would be needed. Over the next seven years, Rose lived her life with both fervor and tenacity; valiantly battling the cancer and never ceasing to wonder at life’s little joys. Rose loved to travel and to spend time outdoors in nature. She was once an avid scuba diver and had been getting more comfortable on the slopes as a snow-boarder.

Rose is survived by her husband, Brendan, sister Vanessa, brothers Junior and Giovanni, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to Children’s Aid, formerly known as the Children’s Aid Society.

A visitation for Rosanna will be held Tuesday, November 1, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at 1354 - Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Homes, 824 Scarsdale Ave, Scarsdale, NY 10583. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, November 2, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church-Scarsdale, 8 Carman Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ELBennettFuneralHomes.com for the Kelly family.